A World of Difference: 25 CRC achievements

The Convention on the Rights of the Child is the most rapidly and widely ratified international human rights treaty in history. The Convention changed the way children are viewed and treated – i.e., as human beings with a distinct set of rights instead of as passive objects of care and charity.

The unprecedented acceptance of the Convention clearly shows a wide global commitment to advancing children’s rights.

In every region of the world, from Brazil to Burkina Faso, Finland to Fiji, Madagascar to Mexico, the Convention has inspired changes in laws and practice that have improved the lives of millions of children.

There is much to celebrate as we mark the 25th anniversary of the Convention, from declining infant mortality to rising school enrolment, but this historic milestone must also serve as an urgent reminder that much remains to be done. Too many children still do not enjoy their full rights on par with their peers.

Business as usual is not enough to make the vision of the Convention a reality for all children. The world needs new ideas and approaches, and the Convention must become a guiding document for every human being in every nation.

Child Rights
A wide range of indicators must be measured to make sure that all children’s rights are being realized

Health
Every child has a right to life. Governments should ensure that children survive and develop healthily.

Child Survival
Every child has a right to life. Governments should ensure that children survive and develop healthily.

Children with disabilities
All children with disabilities should enjoy a full and decent life, in conditions that ensure dignity, promote self-reliance and facilitate the child 's active participation in the community

Sanitation
Every child has the right to an adequate standard of living

Participation
When adults make decisions that affect children, children who are capable of forming their own views have the right to express those views freely in matters affecting them, and adults will take those views into account, in accordance with the age and maturity of the child.

Underweight
Every child has a right to life. Governments should ensure that children survive and develop healthily.

Sport and play
Children have the right to rest and leisure, to engage in sport and play and recreational activities appropriate to the age of the child and to participate freely in cultural life and the arts.

Child labour
Every child has the right to be protected from hazardous or harmful work and from economic exploitation.